AgingNCT07722598
Memory Enhancement in Aging With Closed-Loop tACS
A study testing Peak Frequency, Phase Lag and Peak Frequency + Phase Lag in people with Aging and Noninvasive Brain Stimulation, run by Boston University Charles River Campus.
Trial summary
This project optimizes high-resolution tACS to improve memory in healthy older adults, advancing drug-free approaches for ADRD. We test stimulation schedules and develop an adaptive, brain-guided tACS system to strengthen memory-supporting networks. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 65 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Aging, Noninvasive Brain Stimulation, Memory
- What is being tested?
- Peak Frequency, Phase Lag and Peak Frequency + Phase Lag
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 160 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 1 May 2028to 31 Jan 2031
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 65 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Older adult
Who may be able to join
- 65 years of age or older
- normal or corrected-to-normal vision
- color vision
Who cannot join
- pregnant
- metal implants in head
- implanted electronic devices
- history of neurological problems or head injury
- skin sensitivity
- claustrophobia
Show all 11Show fewer
- dementia (normal Montreal Cognitive Assessment > 25)
- depression (normal Geriatric Depression Scale < 10)
- history of psychosis
- cognitive deficits (MoCA>25)
- any psychoactive medication
Trial locations and contacts
No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: Personalized Memory Enhancement in Aging: Pattern-Optimized tACS With Closed-Loop Precision Modulation
This project optimizes high-resolution tACS to improve memory in healthy older adults, advancing drug-free approaches for ADRD. We test stimulation schedules and develop an adaptive, brain-guided tACS system to strengthen memory-supporting networks.
Read the detailed description
Cognitive decline, especially in memory and executive control, poses an escalating public health challenge as the population ages, contributing to loss of independence, reduced quality of life, and increased healthcare costs associated with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). Despite decades of research, there are few effective, non-pharmacological interventions capable of slowing or reversing these cognitive losses. Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) has recently emerged as a promising, safe, and non-invasive technique for modulating neural rhythms that support memory. However, existing approaches remain limited by one-size-fits-all stimulation schedules that fail to account for individual brain connectivity patterns or dynamic fluctuations in cognitive state.
This project aims to advance precision neuromodulation for cognitive aging by optimizing and personalizing high-resolution tACS protocols to enhance memory in older adults. Building on strong pilot data demonstrating the feasibility of personalized and adaptive stimulation, we will use multimodal imaging (EEG and fMRI) to track changes in frontotemporal synchrony, specifically theta-gamma phase-amplitude coupling and theta phase synchronization, that are known to support memory formation and retrieval.
Aim 2 will develop and test a connectivity-guided closed-loop tACS system that continuously monitors neural synchronization in the frontotemporal network and adjusts stimulation parameters in real time. This adaptive framework is designed to tailor stimulation to each participant's evolving brain state, enabling more efficient and individualized cognitive enhancement than static approaches.
By integrating behavioral, electrophysiological, and neuroimaging measures with adaptive control algorithms, this research will identify reliable biomarkers of responsiveness, elucidate causal mechanisms linking neural synchrony to memory, and yield a new class of personalized, connectivity-guided interventions for cognitive decline. The findings will lay a foundation for scalable, non-invasive, and mechanism-driven treatments for ADRD and age-related memory loss, advancing the broader NIH mission of promoting healthy cognitive aging.
- Conditions
- Aging, Noninvasive Brain Stimulation, Memory
- Being tested
- Peak Frequency, Phase Lag, Peak Frequency + Phase Lag, Non-Adpative
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Peak FrequencyDevice
Device: High definition transcranial electrical current stimulation Low-intensity, noninvasive application of electrical current to the human scalp tailored to individual peak frequency with the goal of modulating levels of neuronal excitability.
Phase LagDevice
Device: High definition transcranial electrical current stimulation Low-intensity, noninvasive application of electrical current to the human scalp tailored to individual phase lag with the goal of modulating levels of neuronal excitability.
Peak Frequency + Phase LagDevice
Device: High definition transcranial electrical current stimulation Low-intensity, noninvasive application of electrical current to the human scalp tailored to individual peak frequency and phase lag with the goal of modulating levels of neuronal excitability.
Non-AdpativeDevice
Device: High definition transcranial electrical current stimulation Low-intensity, noninvasive application of electrical current to the human scalp not tailored to individual peak frequency or phase lag with the goal of modulating levels of neuronal excitability.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Peak Frequency | Experimental | Not described Receives: Device: Peak Frequency |
| Phase Lag | Experimental | Not described Receives: Device: Phase Lag |
| Peak Frequency + Phase Lag | Experimental | Not described Receives: Device: Peak Frequency + Phase Lag |
| Non-Adaptive | Experimental | Not described Receives: Device: Non-Adpative |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
EEG phase locking value (PLV) during working memory retention
Phase locking value between frontotemporal EEG electrodes within the theta frequency band during the memory retention interval of the visual working memory task
Measured: Baseline, Day 2
Interruption suppression measured behaviorally
Memory accuracy performance difference between interruption and control trials on the interruption working memory task
Measured: Baseline, Day 2
EEG phase amplitude coupling (PAC) during working memory retention
Theta phase gamma amplitude cross-frequency coupling at temporal EEG electrodes during the memory retention interval of the visual working memory task
Measured: Baseline, Day 2
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted23 Jul 2026
- Study start1 May 2028 (estimated)
- Primary completion31 Jan 2031 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Jan 2031 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for AgingStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 160 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Boston University Charles River Campus
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Robert Reinhart, PhD, Principal investigator, Boston University Charles River Campus
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07722598
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 4230E_4
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 18 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 23 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- Yes
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 23 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Personalized Memory Enhancement in Aging: Pattern-Optimized tACS With Closed-Loop Precision Modulation
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07722598
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 4230E_4
- Conditions
- Aging, Noninvasive Brain Stimulation, Memory
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 160 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Boston University Charles River CampusUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 May 2028 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 31 Jan 2031 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Jan 2031 (estimated)
- First posted
- 23 Jul 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This project optimizes high-resolution tACS to improve memory in healthy older adults, advancing drug-free approaches for ADRD. We test stimulation schedules and develop an adaptive, brain-guided tACS system to strengthen memory-supporting networks.
Detailed description
Cognitive decline, especially in memory and executive control, poses an escalating public health challenge as the population ages, contributing to loss of independence, reduced quality of life, and increased healthcare costs associated with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). Despite decades of research, there are few effective, non-pharmacological interventions capable of slowing or reversing these cognitive losses. Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) has recently emerged as a promising, safe, and non-invasive technique for modulating neural rhythms that support memory. However, existing approaches remain limited by one-size-fits-all stimulation schedules that fail to account for individual brain connectivity patterns or dynamic fluctuations in cognitive state.
This project aims to advance precision neuromodulation for cognitive aging by optimizing and personalizing high-resolution tACS protocols to enhance memory in older adults. Building on strong pilot data demonstrating the feasibility of personalized and adaptive stimulation, we will use multimodal imaging (EEG and fMRI) to track changes in frontotemporal synchrony, specifically theta-gamma phase-amplitude coupling and theta phase synchronization, that are known to support memory formation and retrieval.
Aim 2 will develop and test a connectivity-guided closed-loop tACS system that continuously monitors neural synchronization in the frontotemporal network and adjusts stimulation parameters in real time. This adaptive framework is designed to tailor stimulation to each participant's evolving brain state, enabling more efficient and individualized cognitive enhancement than static approaches.
By integrating behavioral, electrophysiological, and neuroimaging measures with adaptive control algorithms, this research will identify reliable biomarkers of responsiveness, elucidate causal mechanisms linking neural synchrony to memory, and yield a new class of personalized, connectivity-guided interventions for cognitive decline. The findings will lay a foundation for scalable, non-invasive, and mechanism-driven treatments for ADRD and age-related memory loss, advancing the broader NIH mission of promoting healthy cognitive aging.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 4
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Peak Frequency | Experimental | Device: Peak Frequency |
| Phase Lag | Experimental | Device: Phase Lag |
| Peak Frequency + Phase Lag | Experimental | Device: Peak Frequency + Phase Lag |
| Non-Adaptive | Experimental | Device: Non-Adpative |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 65 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- 65 years of age or older
- normal or corrected-to-normal vision
- color vision
Key exclusion criteria (11 listed)
- pregnant
- metal implants in head
- implanted electronic devices
- history of neurological problems or head injury
- skin sensitivity
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Peak FrequencyDevice: High definition transcranial electrical current stimulation Low-intensity, noninvasive application of electrical current to the human scalp tailored to individual peak frequency with the goal of modulating levels of neuronal excitability. | Device | Peak Frequency |
| Phase LagDevice: High definition transcranial electrical current stimulation Low-intensity, noninvasive application of electrical current to the human scalp tailored to individual phase lag with the goal of modulating levels of neuronal excitability. | Device | Phase Lag |
| Peak Frequency + Phase LagDevice: High definition transcranial electrical current stimulation Low-intensity, noninvasive application of electrical current to the human scalp tailored to individual peak frequency and phase lag with the goal of modulating levels of neuronal excitability. | Device | Peak Frequency + Phase Lag |
| Non-AdpativeDevice: High definition transcranial electrical current stimulation Low-intensity, noninvasive application of electrical current to the human scalp not tailored to individual peak frequency or phase lag with the goal of modulating levels of neuronal excitability. | Device | Non-Adaptive |
Primary outcome
EEG phase locking value (PLV) during working memory retention
Time frame: Baseline, Day 2
Phase locking value between frontotemporal EEG electrodes within the theta frequency band during the memory retention interval of the visual working memory task
Interruption suppression measured behaviorally
Time frame: Baseline, Day 2
Memory accuracy performance difference between interruption and control trials on the interruption working memory task
EEG phase amplitude coupling (PAC) during working memory retention
Time frame: Baseline, Day 2
Theta phase gamma amplitude cross-frequency coupling at temporal EEG electrodes during the memory retention interval of the visual working memory task
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 23 Jul 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Robert Reinhart, PhD principal investigator
Boston University Charles River Campus
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Peak Frequency, Phase Lag and Peak Frequency + Phase Lag in people with Aging and Noninvasive Brain Stimulation, run by Boston University Charles River Campus.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 11 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 23 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Robert Reinhart, PhD ((617) 353-9481, rmgr@bu.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
EEG phase locking value (PLV) during working memory retention (time frame: Baseline, Day 2). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 23 Jul 2026.